Redelliza Gruezo, Program Coordinator of HVCDP for DA CALABARZON said that the assessment is a great opportunity to present the respective plans and programs of the provinces and in order to align and/or integrate the same with the DA CALABARZON HVCDP projects. “This is also a good venue (the assessment) for us to discuss our 2018 plans and programs and the challenges encountered and good practices used in 2017 in implementing our projects.” Gruezo said to the participants.

Field Operations Chief Dennis Arpia said “the department is not only after the output or the numbers or figures of accomplishment, but also to the outcome of our services provided to farmers, for instance, did their lives improve? Did their production increased because of our interventions given? These are some questions we want to be affirmatively answered.”

He also pointed out that, as much as the department wants to help all farmers in the region, this is quite hard to achieve due to limited funding, which is why assessments like this one is conducted regularly in order to determine what areas we need to focus on.

Gloria Dela Cruz and Luz Labit, HVCDP Provincial Coordinators of Cavite and Batangas, respectively, presented their accomplishment reports for province-funded and DA-funded projects. Gruezo on the other hand discussed the 2017 Regional Physical and Financial Accomplishment and 2018 Physical Targets by Commodity under the DA CALABARZON HVCDP.

Some of the projects under the HVCDP are provision of farm implements such as farm tools, equipment, seeds and seedlings, to name a few.

The HVCDP assessment for the provinces of Laguna, Rizal and Queon will be held on January 30-31, 2018 at the same venue.

For more information on High Value Crops Development Program interventions, you may call (02) 928-3919.